Metal Panel System Brings Style, Savings to Convention Center

The City Council of Lynnwood, Wash., located 15 miles north of Seattle, wanted to revitalize the town. The goal of the public facilities district was to attract more visitors and increase the town’s tax revenue.

The City Council of Lynnwood, Wash., located 15 miles north of Seattle, wanted to revitalize the town. The goal of the public facilities district was to attract more visitors and increase the town’s tax revenue.

To meet these goals, the City Council passed a 13-acre city center plan that would add 9 million square feet of retail, commercial and residential facilities to the community.

Included in the plan was the Lynnwood Convention Center.
The $31 million convention center is 55,000 square feet, including 11 meeting rooms with a total of 34,000 square feet. The center can host conventions of up to 500 people and can seat up to 1,200 guests for events.

In an effort to give the building a warm, inviting look while staying within budgetary and scheduling guidelines, the facility plans called for a structural steel skeleton. Using various styles, colors and finishes on the metal wall panels, the design reflects the upbeat character of Lynnwood and breaks the mass of the building down into more pleasing proportions. Switching from an earlier masonry exterior plan saved the city an estimated $225,000.

Three dominant panel systems are used: metal composite, corrugated metal and deep ribbed industrial panels. The center’s large-scale exhibit hall space is clad with 12,800 square feet of 24-gauge, deep ribbed panels with a factory-applied dark bronze paint finish. The paint is formulated with reflective pigments that make it much more energy efficient than traditional metal panel paints. Each panel has a projected service life of over 50 years.

Since the Lynnwood Convention Center opened, it has attracted 40,000 people to the town each year. In addition, it generates an additional $13 million in revenue.